FEMA: 'We need the whole community' to help after Harvey

Brock Long of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday called on the people of Texas and Louisiana to "be involved" as the states struggle with the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Harvey. He added that FEMA was anticipating that over

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Brock Long of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday called on the people of Texas and Louisiana to "be involved" as the states struggle with the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Harvey. He added that FEMA was anticipating that over

Help for people, pets and bartenders: Here’s how to aid Harvey’s victims

Local groups and businesses – from churches to a dog bar – are helping Tropical Storm Harvey’s victims however they can.

Boone-based Samaritan’s Purse sent disaster relief teams to stricken communities, while Carolinas HealthCare System was officially deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help in the storm’s aftermath.

Carolinas HealthCare System’s MedCenter Air sent three planes to Texas on Tuesday. Its crew of eight pilots and eight medical team members will stay in Texas for about five days to help take patients out of the immediate area of the disaster. The planes will not bring patients to Charlotte.

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Other agencies, church organizations and Charlotte businesses are collecting donations online and through fundraisers, including:

Airlines: American AirlinesAAdvantage members can earn 10 miles for every dollar donated to the Red Cross with a minimum $25 donation through Sept 24. United is making 3 million bonus miles available to customers who contribute to disaster relief organizations through the airline’s crowdrise page and will match the first $200,000 in donations.

American Red Cross: Donate online at www.redcross.org or by phone at 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669). Text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Or send a check by mail to P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

Catholic Charities USA: To donate, text CCUSADISASTER to 71777.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: Donations of new children’s clothing for all ages and toiletries are being collected through Tuesday, Sept. 5, at all CMS schools as part of the system’s Help for Houston effort. Boxes are designated for donations at all CMS schools.

Freedom House Church: The multisite church based in Charlotte is partnering with churches in Houston to provide volunteers, water, financial aid and other help. Drop off water and other supplies – a list is available at FreedomForHouston.com – at any Freedom House location: 2638 State Road in Charlotte; 3000 Griffith St. in Charlotte’s South End; Crossfit Cornelius, 19721 Smith Circle in Cornelius; and Hough High School, 12420 Bailey Road, Cornelius. Drop-off times are 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday through Sept. 6 at the first three locations and 7 a.m.-2:15 p.m. weekdays at Hough High. Join the team from Freedom House on Sept. 10 as they travel to Houston with the donations and help for six days. To join the team, email DMoyer@FreedomHouse.CC.

Lake Norman Rotary Clubs: Rotary Club of Huntersville Happy Hour is partnering with several other Rotary clubs around Lake Norman to host a Helping Houston benefit at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Harvey’s at Huntersville Bar & Grill, 13812 Cinnabar Place, Huntersville. The event will feature a silent auction. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of all food and beverage purchases that day to Rotary to support Tropical Storm Harvey relief efforts. www.rotary-huntersville-happy-hour.org/index.php.

Lucky Dog Bark & Brew: The dog bar, with locations in Charlotte and Cornelius, is hosting a Hounds Helping Houston fundraiser on Sept. 22. These items can be donated at both locations leading up to the event: sealed dog and cat food, treats, cat litter, crates, beds, leashes, collars, non-glass dog or cat dishes, blankets, cleaning supplies (including bleach, Lysol and rubber gloves), hand sanitizer, towels, garbage bags and water. All items and money will be taken to the affected area and distributed through local animal shelters and 501 (c)(3) organizations. On Sept. 22, 10 percent of all bar sales will be donated to the cause, and Lucky Dog will cover the cost of taking all donated items to Texas.

Snug Harbor: The music venue at 1228 Gordon St. in Charlotte is hosting a fundraiser 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday to help the Charlotte Bartenders Guild raise money for USBG’s Bartender Emergency Assistance Program to help Houston bartenders who will be out of work.

​United Methodist churches: Local churches will collect an offering for UMCOR - United Methodist Committee on Relief. Donations also can be made at umcor.org/donate. 1-888-252-6174. 458 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.